WHITE-HEADED EAGLE. 163 



lows it with the swiftness of thought, and the next moment grasps it. 

 The prize is carried off in silence to the woods, and assists in feeding the 

 ever-hungry brood of the Eagle. 



This bird now and then procures fish himself, by pursuing them in 

 the shallows of small creeks. I have witnessed several instances of this 

 in the Perkioming Creek in Pennsylvania, where, in this manner, I saw 

 one of them secure a number of Red-fins, by wading briskly through the 

 water, and strildng at them with his bill. I have also observed a pair 

 scrambling over the ice of a frozen pond, to get at some fish below, but 

 without success. 



It does not confine itself to these kinds of food, but greedily devours 

 young pigs, lambs, fawns, poultry, and the putrid flesh of carcasses of 

 every description, driving off the vultures and carrion-crows, or the dogs, 

 and keeping a whole party at defiance vmtil it is satiated. It frequently 

 gives chase to the vultures, and forces them to disgorge the contents of 

 their stomachs, when it alights and devours the filthy mass. A ludicrous 

 instance of this took place near the city of Natchez, on the Mississippi. 

 Many Vultures were engaged in devouring the body and entrails of a dead 

 horse, when a White-headed Eagle accidentally passing by, the vultures 

 all took to wing, one among the rest with a portion of the entrails partly 

 swallowed, and the remaining part, about a yard in length, dangling 

 in the air. The Eagle instantly marked him, and gave chase. The 

 poor vulture tried in vain to disgorge, when the Eagle, coming up, seized 

 the loose end of the gut, and dragged the bird along for twenty or 

 thirty yards, much against its will, until both fell to the ground, when the 

 Eagle struck the vulture, and in a few moments killed it, after which he 

 swallowed the delicious morsel. 



I have heard of several attempts made by this bird to destroy chil- 

 dren, but have never witnessed any myself, although I have httle doubt 

 of its having sufficient daring to do so. 



The flight of the White-headed Eagle is strong, generally uniform, 

 and protracted to any distance, at pleasure. Whilst travelling, it is en- 

 tirely supported by equal easy flappings, without any intermission, in as 

 far as I have observed it, by following it with the eye or the assistance of 

 a glass. When looking for prey, it sails with extended wings, at right 

 angles to its body, now and then allowing its legs to hang at their 

 full length. W^hilst sailing, it has the power of ascending in circular 

 sweeps, without a single flap of the wings, or any apparent motion either 



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